Rock Hill Fire Department Provides Update on Owens Hall Fire

Quick Facts

The fire started outside the building on a small section of flat roof located where Owens Hall and Bancroft Annex join. Fire investigators reviewed and ruled out the mechanical room, HVAC and elevator systems.

ROCK HILL, S.C. - Rock Hill fire officials have established a point of origin for the fire at Winthrop University’s Owens Hall that began at approximately 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 6. Fire Investigator Captain Otis Driggers of the Rock Hill Fire Department determined that the fire started outside the building on a small section of flat roof located where Owens Hall and Bancroft Annex join. The cause of the fire is still under investigation.

Through the investigation, Cpt. Driggers reviewed and ruled out the mechanical room, HVAC and elevator systems. In addition, the only piece of mechanical equipment in that area of the roof is an exhaust fan, which also was reviewed and ruled out.

Based on the evidence so far, all indications are that the fire started accidentally. Cpt. Driggers expects to complete the investigation into the cause of the fire in the next week to ten days, but says the possibility remains that the cause of the fire may not be determined.

An additional update will be made when the investigation of the cause of the fire is complete.